1. < LGBTQIA Health

LGBT / LGBTQI+ Friendly Medical Care

Posted by Ayesha, Alumni Mentor @ayeshasharma, Aug 6, 2019

CW: Sexual assault

*

Hi, I’m Ayesha. I wanted to prompt a conversation around LGBTQI+ friendly medical care. It’s common in the LGBTQI+ community to experience discrimination during medical visits, and this can prevent LGBTQI+ people and their families from being able to access the care/check-ups they need.

Discrimination for LGBTQI+ people can include the health care provider (HCP) refusing to see the LGBTQI+ person due to their orientation/identity, the HCP intentionally misgendering the LGBTQI+ patient, the HCP sexually abusing the LGBTQI+ person, and more.

There can be unfortunate consequences of these instances of discrimination, the most obvious of which is that LGBTQI+ patients are deterred from seeking medical care in the first place. From the Center For American Progress:

“…8 percent of all LGBTQ people—and 14 percent of those who had experienced discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity in the past year—avoided or postponed needed medical care because of disrespect or discrimination from health care staff. Among transgender people, 22 percent reported such avoidance. With regard to preventative screenings, 7 percent of LGBTQ respondents reported avoiding or postponing care in the year prior to the survey, while 17 percent of LGBTQ respondents who had experienced discrimination that year and 19 percent of transgender people reporting avoidance during that period.”

Does anyone in the LGBTQI+ community have anything to share (experiences/comments/concerns/frustrations/rants) regarding discrimination in health care settings?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the LGBTQIA Health Support Group.

Sophie | @doslovesdogs21 | Dec 17, 2021

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know that I have my first PCP appointment this coming week, and I don't feel worried about it at all. My assigned provider has been immensely helpful in referring me to other providers for some fertility concerns, and every provider I've met with thus far at Mayo (including my PCP via Portal messages) has been wonderful, informative, and completely accepting of my sexuality and partnership. I am very happy to have such good care here.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 17, 2021
In reply to @doslovesdogs21 "Hello everyone, I wanted to let you know that I have my first PCP appointment this..." + (show)
@doslovesdogs21

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know that I have my first PCP appointment this coming week, and I don't feel worried about it at all. My assigned provider has been immensely helpful in referring me to other providers for some fertility concerns, and every provider I've met with thus far at Mayo (including my PCP via Portal messages) has been wonderful, informative, and completely accepting of my sexuality and partnership. I am very happy to have such good care here.

Jump to this post

@doslovesdogs21 I was thinking of you just the other day, and wondering how things are going for you! It is comforting to hear that you feel good about your providers, and I bet a lot of your nerves and apprehension will be even less as times goes on. Sometimes we feel alone, or misunderstood. Being able to relax and relate positively with your providers will help you both go far! Will you let me know how everything goes for you this week?
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 22, 2021
In reply to @doslovesdogs21 "Hello everyone, I wanted to let you know that I have my first PCP appointment this..." + (show)
@doslovesdogs21

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know that I have my first PCP appointment this coming week, and I don't feel worried about it at all. My assigned provider has been immensely helpful in referring me to other providers for some fertility concerns, and every provider I've met with thus far at Mayo (including my PCP via Portal messages) has been wonderful, informative, and completely accepting of my sexuality and partnership. I am very happy to have such good care here.

Jump to this post

I'm so relieved and glad to hear this, Dos. If you're interested, you are also welcome to join the conversations in this group:
– Fertility & Reproductive Health https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/fertility-reproduction-health/

I'll get you connected with others.
In the meantime, happy holidays.

REPLY
1 reply
Sophie | @doslovesdogs21 | Dec 22, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "@doslovesdogs21 I was thinking of you just the other day, and wondering how things are going..." + (show)
@gingerw

@doslovesdogs21 I was thinking of you just the other day, and wondering how things are going for you! It is comforting to hear that you feel good about your providers, and I bet a lot of your nerves and apprehension will be even less as times goes on. Sometimes we feel alone, or misunderstood. Being able to relax and relate positively with your providers will help you both go far! Will you let me know how everything goes for you this week?
Ginger

Jump to this post

Hi @gingerw! The appointment went very well and I enjoyed great rapport with my provider. I am really happy to have been paired with her. Thanks for the positive thoughts!!

REPLY
Sophie | @doslovesdogs21 | Dec 22, 2021
In reply to @colleenyoung "I'm so relieved and glad to hear this, Dos. If you're interested, you are also welcome..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

I'm so relieved and glad to hear this, Dos. If you're interested, you are also welcome to join the conversations in this group:
– Fertility & Reproductive Health https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/fertility-reproduction-health/

I'll get you connected with others.
In the meantime, happy holidays.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much @colleenyoung, I really appreciate it!

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